Civilians to Help Solve Cyber Crime

Civilians to Help Solve Cyber Crime

Home secretary Theresa May has said civilian recruits will help police solve cyber crime under an expansion of the role of volunteers in England and Wales.

The plans are said to include methods that will provide power to support staff and volunteers.

Forces will be able to identify volunteers who specialise in accountancy or computing for cyber and finance inquiries.

Those who wish to volunteer their time have two options; to either become a special constable or request to become a police support volunteer.

The measures will form part of the Policing and Crime Bill and will provide volunteers with powers without having to become a special constable.

Theresa May said: "We value the essential role they play, but they cannot do this on their own.

"We want to help forces to create a more flexible workforce, bring in new skills and free up officers' time to focus on the jobs only they can carry out."

She also said people with IT or accountancy skills were in "particular demand", and could "work alongside police officers to investigate cyber or financial crime, and help officers and staff fight crime more widely".